3-Day California Coast Tour: San Francisco to Los Angeles
San Francisco, United States of America
Take an epic journey down the stunning California coast on this 3-day one-way trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Visit Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Cambria, Solvang and Santa Barbara, and enjoy views of jagged coastlines, mountains, forests and picturesque rolling hills studded with vineyards. Explore fascinating marine exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, take a guided tour of magnificent Hearst Castle, journey along famous 17-Mile Drive, spot California's iconic sea lions, and take the train from Santa Barbara to bustling downtown Los Angeles. This tour by comfortable van offers flexible daily itineraries, letting you explore at a relaxed pace with your knowledgeable guide and on your own. This tour is perfect for those looking to get from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a fun, relaxing and incredibly scenic way. This small-group tour is limited to 7 people, ensuring a more personalized experience.
On your 3-day trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, enjoy free time in each city you visit. Flexible daily itineraries let you explore at your own pace, and admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a guided tour of Hearst Castle are included. Your guide will offer interesting and informative commentary throughout your trip about local history, culture and architecture. Choose between Comfort and Superior accommodation types.
The date of our trip was actually amended to 10 january 2018....my sister and I 2 old birds from Australia would highly recommend this trip ..Mark was brilliant .He looked after us and nothing was too much trouble......He made sure we didnt miss anything and the scenery was amazing......our luggage miraculously appeared in our hotel room and we enjoyed every minute of it......to experience walking down to the 18th green at Pebble Beach golf club and to see the sea lions basking on the beach in their protected sanctuary plus Hearst Castle and the magnificent Aquarium were all excellent..Great scenery ,good food and good accommodation made all the better with Marks expertise and great knowledge of the area.
Review by: Debby H, February 2018
My husband and I had a fantastic tour down the coast of California. Adam, our guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable._br/_ The scenery was beautiful and we got to see unexpected sights like a redwood forest and elephant seals nursing their babies. I would highly recommend this tour.
Review by: Diana Ashley K, January 2018
The road journey was well planned and arranged. Tour guide took the extra effort to help us with the check-ins. Only set back is most of the small towns that we stopped over could have slightly more than 1hr to explore. Half of the time we need to be checking o watches to make sure we don't miss our time. _br/_ Lucky to book the tour during winter that from a group tour became a private tour. Overall everything was great, the hotel accommodations were pleasant and decent. Only one suggestion, for the train ride from Santa Barbara to LA, the tour guide should have booked the train tickets online in advance and reserve the business class seat, considering that we paid premium for the entire tour. We had unreserved seats and was forced to stand till like 3 stops later and struggled fighting for luggage spots with others. And, if possible to have food arrangement or at least have arrangements with certain number of restaurants to give us extra discount when dine in using the tour promo code?
Review by: Dmwhitlock47, November 2017
What a great surprise when our tour operator pulled up at our hotel and we were greeted with what was a three day personal tour just the two of us and the guide for this wonderful tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable of the areas we traveled.
Review by: Frank A, October 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable scenery and sights, good accommodation etc. However the guide Mark did not give us much information about the areas we were travelling through which was disappointing.. Also it was a 12 seat bus and although he had a strong clear voice, we could not hear him down the back of the bus so therefore missed out on things. We suggested using a microphone as other guides do.
Review by: Peter E, October 2017
We were very happy with the quality of the tour we went on and we were given an excellent insight to all of the main points on the coast road. We found the stopover points to be well timed and the places that we visited of high quality. We found Mark our guide to be exceptionally helpful and knowledgeable. He was extremely courteous and very well informed. We highly recommend this tour to any prospective person who wants to see the coast road without driving themselves. Peter and Lynley Elder- New Zealand
Review by: Niall M, September 2017
Mark , Our driver, chauffeur and all you could ask in a guide was exceptional. My wife and I were the only ones on the tour, which made it extra special and allowed us to stop longer where we wanted and enjoy the moment..We would arrive at our destination and go on the tour arranged or just simply enjoy the surroundings and when we checked into our hotel , Mark had already had our bags taken to our room. Mark made us feel very welcome from the very first morning to the last day arranging our bags on the train to La._br/_ The only thing would be the Hotel in Camberia , which was very nice and comfortable, was a little away from restaurants , when you don't have transport. But all in all a very enjoyable trip and again many thanks to Mark for all the stories and been such a superb host._br/_ Niall and patricia
Review by: Vinayathan R, September 2017
The drive was very smooth as Mark Olson did a very good job in driving but he is not an experienced tour guide in explaining about interesting places.Stay in Cambria Blue Bird Inn not pleasent as the breakfast starts at 7.30 AM Very cold and merely two items.There is no Coffee maker in the room and when requested i was given a one that was not working ._br/_ All three days one person was occupying the seat next to the driver which is a good position for taking photographs.The driver should have atleast noted this and should have advised the occupants to rotate the seats.
Review by: Maureen W, May 2017
This was the high light of our trip. We were looking forward so much to it and we were not disappointed_br/_ We did this trip in March 2017 as we wanted a relaxed trip with a small group and not drive ourselves_br/_ We'll we hit the jackpot We had a private tour with Kelly and she was amazing nothing was a trouble and plenty of spare time to enjoy_br/_ Unfortunately we couldn't go by Big Sur due to landslides but that didn't matter as we saw so much_br/_ If you can afford the superior accommodation I can thoroughly recommend it, especially Spin Drift in Monterey a boutique hotel which is a little treasure not to be missed_br/_ What more can I say if you have the time this is definitely a trip not to be missed
Review by: Ma. Teresa H, February 2017
This 3-day Tour was a 30th wedding anniversary gift for my husband and myself, and it was the best gift ever. As it turned out we were the only ones who booked the tour for Jan. 29-31, and it was like we had booked an exclusive tour for ourselves. This meant a more relaxed schedule for us and more flexibility for stops and more opportunities for photos.
Review by: Lesley S, November 2016
Great scenery, good accommodation, very informative. Great small group.
Review by: Michele A, October 2016
Loved this tour! I wanted a trip down the coast from San Francisco that included Big Sur and Hearst Castle, and I did not want to drive it myself. Adam was a very informative guide, and the small group of 7 travelers was a fun and friendly mix of people from Turkey, Brazil, New Zealand, Seattle, and Ohio. This tour also included Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Cambria, Solvang,Santa Barbara, _br/_ and a train ride to Los Angeles where it ended. I'd definitely recommend this one!
Review by: Susan L, October 2016
It was an amazing trip and we can recommend it without any reservations!!!_br/_ Mark our tour guide, was very attentive and friendly, a safe driver, and ensured that we had a stress free experience. He was also very knowledgeable and fun to have around! _br/_ We were 5 woman in our group of different ages and from different countries and it was so interesting to get to know everybody, certainly a huge benefit of such a small tour group._br/_ The tour was well balanced with beautiful coastal scenes, small villages to explore and visits to bigger cities like Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara. Wish we had time to linger longer in Carmel, a picture perfect little town. Hearst Castle was also a highlight._br/_ The train ride to Los Angeles was a positive experience, with our luggage being taken care of, - a smooth ride!
Review by: philomena.o, October 2016
This was a well paced, and well organized tour. The size was just right-- only 6 of us, and the tour guide was wonderful. Hotels were well located and comfortable and there was time to enjoy the stunning natural sites and shop or eat in the gorgeous coastal towns. I hadn't thought visiting an aquarium would be a high point, but the Monterrey Aquarium is something special. It was a fantastic trip!
Review by: Colleen R, September 2016
We found this a geat way to take the scenic route from San Francisco to LA. We could relax and enjoy the view and the ride with our great guide, Mark. He was friendly, had great local knowladge and looked after his passengers expertly. The accomodation was also very comfortable and more that we expected. _br/_ Aug 2015
Review by: hargis_79, September 2016
Great tour! Staff was knowledgeable and had great stops along the way to really see the coast! Spindrift Inn in Monterey was fantastic!
Review by: Sandra F, August 2016
An excellent tour- lots to see and do. Accomodations were great. Mark was knowledgeable and professional. The only disappointment was not seeing Big Sur due to the coastal fires. _br/_ I would highly recommend this tour!
Review by: GEOFF C, July 2016
THE 2ND NIGHT ACCOM WAS NOT AS GOOD AS THE FIRST. ALSO THE OTHER 3 PEOPLE ON THE TOUR HAD OCEAN VIEW ROOMS ON BOTH NIGHTS.
Review by: Anne B, July 2016
Adam was a well organised and informative tour guide. The tour gave great views and insights to the coast. The vehicle was spacious and comfortable. The accommodation was comfortable and met our needs. Adam's tips for eating and drinking were spot on, we had a great time.
Review by: Raham M al H, June 2016
it was the best tour I did during my visit_br/_ Mark our tour guide was an excellent person
Review by: Kate, June 2016
I highly recommend this trip and with Explore California having had a great 3 days driving down the Pacific Coastal Highway. I signed up as a solo-traveller opting for the Comfort accommodation option which was more than adequate. I formed part of a group of 5 plus Mark our guide. The trip makes some great stops and Mark stopped at a few other points of interest, really nice Jam farm in Swanton and the Elephant Seals in San Simeon to name but a few. The best day was the second day visiting Carmel-by-the-sea, Big Sur and Hearst Castle with some spectacular views. Mark was a great guide, super friendly and knowledgeable of the region. This is a great way to take in the coastline with the right balance of sightseeing, relaxation and pace. Thanks also to Kelly for your correspondence beforehand, this was very helpful.
Review by: Gloria S, June 2016
The trip was well planned. The hotels were very nice, especially the one in Monteray. Our guide was also very knowledgable and friendly. All in all it was a wonderful trip. Thank you.
Review by: Tatiani K, April 2016
We booked this trip pretty much last minute and it definitely exceeded our expectations. Kelly was amazing, very knowledgeable and friendly. The mid size van was comfortable for the five of us and Kelly is an excellent driver, we felt safe and well taken care of. The accommodation included in the package is pretty basic so worth upgrading if you want something nicer. This trip is an easy and carefree way to experience the Californian coast and all it has to offer.
Review by: Tatiani K, April 2016
We booked this trip last minute and it exceeded expectations. Kelly was amazing, very knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. The midsize van was comfortable for the five of us and Kelly is an extremely safe driver, we felt well taken care of. The accommodation included in the package is pretty basic so worth upgrading if you would like something nicer. Overall, this is an easy and carefree way to experience the Californian coast and in this context, high recommended.
Review by: Scott K, January 2016
NIce small group travel. Nice tour director but not very informative... more of just a driver getting us from one place to another. Accommodations were nice.
Review by: Heather H, November 2015
Beautiful scenery, lots of opportunities for photos, Tour guide Mark was fun, pleasant and accommodating._br/_ Would have liked more time in Carmel and Solvang. Suggest Hearst Castle be optional. Tour somewhat pricey as no meals were included.
Review by: Dianne W, October 2015
An amazing trip with a very knowledgable guide. Loved the small group and getting to know others from around the world. Fabulous scenery at a lovely pace with plenty of time for all activities. Loved every minute of the trip
Review by: T.C., October 2015
I don't drive but I want to take a road trip from SF down to LA, so choosing this tour is a very easy decision. And it's one hell of a great decision. Adam contacted me long before the start day to confirm pick up location. And I appreciated him for that. For many wrong reasons, I ended up changing my pick up location 3 times and he was ever patient with me and it helped to easy my mind a lot. The day the tour started, he arrived early so we can have a good start. There were only 3 passengers me and a nice couple from Australia and the car was super comfortable for us. Adam is a very careful driver and knowledgeable guide, he made many stops along the way so we could take as many photos of the picturesque coastline as we wanted. _br/_ On the first day, because of good traffic and early start, we even had time to make a stop at the redwood forest. All the towns we made a stop were nice, charming and made me feel like I was travelling back to the past. The Monterey Aquarium is much more interesting than I expected. And the hotel in Monterey is just great, big room, very stylish. The wine and cheese reception is a nice surprise. On second day, the 17-mile drive is up to expectation. The fog came down heavy so we couldn't have a good view from Nepenthe cafe but we still had nice view on the road and Adam made more stops a long the way for us ladies to take pictures again and again. Hearst Castle is really something. Hotel in Cambria is nothing special but comfortable and quite charming in looking department. On the third day, we arrived at Solvang quite early, before the big bus tour arrived so we almost had the whole town for our own to take as much picture as we wanted. The train trip from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles was quite nice. I could take in the nice beach view from the train big window._br/_ Tips: You have to try the cakes at Nepenthe cafe. If you travel as a couple, spend a bit more for the Superior Lodging and you will have a nice surprise.
Review by: Roslyn P, September 2015
Was SO looking forward to this 3 day trip, but it was a disappointment in so many ways! Main annoyance was the state of the van we travelled in - outside was dirty when we were picked up and it got dirtier over the next days! The tour guide never washed it and the windscreen was covered with splattered bugs and when the sun was on the windows, you could hardly see out! I even mentioned maybe he could wash the window, but got no reply! This was a magnificent drive and so spoiled by that! The guide was a nice guy, but not really what I would call a tour guide! He was always on his phone think for travel purposes but - e.g. when on the 17mile drive - he got brochures from the park attendant and only gave them to us when one of the travelers asked for them and then we found out we had just passed point 16 on the brochure and didn't get a chance to see 1-15!_br/_
His commentary was not the best and two of us in the back had to ask him to repeat things because he talked to the front passenger mainly - he would raise his voice if we asked him to repeat himself, but it wasn't professional._br/_
He didn't know the times of Hearst Castle tours and consequently we didn't get a chance to walk around after the inside tour because he told us to be back at a certain time, and he thought the movie was only 15mins and it was 45mins. When we told him we wanted to see the film he was fine with that, but WE had to confront him - he SHOULD have checked up on all of this beforehand. Made me think he was a fill-in tour guide for Explore California! He missed the turnoff to Solvang and had to go back - all these things shouldn't happen if he'd done his homework! It COULD have been so much more for us, but I'm sorry, I thought the whole trip was very expensive and not worth the money we paid and would not recommend this to anyone!
Review by: Aileen B, September 2015
Mark was an excellent driver and knowledgeable guide. We really enjoyed the trip and would definately recommend it to others who prefer not to drive themselves. It is much more relaxing and great to see everything this way.
Review by: violsaustralia, September 2015
This was a very good tour. The coastal scenery and wildlife was above our expectations. The hotels were very good and places chosen to stop were ideal. Highlights were the Monterey aquarium sea otters, the elephant seals and the Heasrt castle.
Review by: regula f, July 2015
J'écris en français Nous un couple australien, ma petite-fille Janine et moi, nous avons eu l'occasion de faire ce voyage avec Mark. Mark était un guide très expérimenté, il nous a montré tout ce qu'il fallait montrer et beaucoup davantage. En route,, nous avons eu de longues discussions très inéressantes sur les Etats Unis aiinsi que, des problèmes écologiques. Mark est très sensible à ces questions, ce qui me plaisait beaucoup! c'est rare pour les Américains ! Il nous a trouvé deux hôtels délicieux où nousd avons passé la nuit. _br/_
C'était un voyage 100 réussi, grâce à Mark. MERCI!!! Regula de la Suisse
Review by: KAREL M, July 2015
Brilliant guide, small group, wonderful sights and comfortable hotels
Review by: Kristy S, May 2015
Touring down Highway 1 is a must do! Mark was a relaxed, well-organised tour guide and our small group managed to fit quite a lot of sights in, as well as having time to relax. Recommended.
Review by: lize.wood, March 2015
I loved this trip. Mark our guide/driver was excellent. The scenery is stunning and we missed nothing. I really wanted to see "The Lonesome Pine" and it was on our itinerary. There were 3 of us and I guess this is the minimum number for the tour. It made it special and even better than driving independently. Mark said he had driven this route a few years ago with his Father and they "missed almost all the sights". Originally I was going to hire a car with a friend to do this journey. However my plans changed so I booked this trip and it was a great success .
Review by: Barbara H, September 2014
Really enjoyed this but felt the last day was too rushed . Not enough time in Solvang
Review by: Jennifer M, September 2014
Great trip. Adam very good guide, giving lots of information about each destination. Fellow travellers very good company. Bus very comfortable. Accomadation in Monterey excellent, in Cambria no breakfast provided, no tea or coffee in room, no kettle. Would recommend tour to friends.
Review by: Genevieve P, September 2014
Really Amazing tour. Adam was wonderful at giving us all the necessary information, he stopped when he spotted whales and answered our questions when we asked about the area, the sea life etc... I would recommend this tour 100%.
Review by: Jillian L, June 2014
Our driver and guide , Kelly , was informative and helpful and with varied aspects gave our group of 5 a personalised tour drawing from her own knowledge and experience in California. It was really great and the accommodation was comfortable while our hosts were friendly and hospitable. The Mission in Santa Barbara could be added to the comprehensive itinerary .
Review by: malibubeachsandi, May 2014
It was a fantastic, well executed trip! Kelly was great, and went out of her way to provide a very memorable trip!! I highly recommend this tour!
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